TheBeefSite Newsletter - 2 March 2011

Welcome to this week's newsletter

The South Korean government has admitted that it is to blame for the uncontrolled spread of foot and mouth disease (FMD) across the country, citing poor quarantine measures in the early stages.

Damage caused by FMD is around three trillion Won (US$2.6 billion), the country's farm minister, Yoo Jeong-bok said last week.

South Africa has reported 12 outbreaks of FMD in the KwaZulu-Natal region. Of 473 cattle tested, 224 were infected, although no clinical signs of the disease were observed.

The government has suspended all exports of cloven hoofed animals and animal products. Vaccination by State Veterinary Services will be allowed only in the affected areas of KwaZulu Natal.

A dramatic decline in brucellosis, a serious disease affecting both livestock and humans in Tajikistan, is being hailed as the first major victory of the recently privatised national animal health service.

Commenting on the Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Act (GIPSA) proposed rule, the US National Farmers Union has said: "The proposed rule is a much-needed regulatory measure to combat the market concentration that has taken place in the last 30 years.

"The top four beef packers control over 81 per cent of the sales of cattle for slaughter in the US, this concentration allows packers monopsony power and significantly harms farmers and ranchers."

Charlotte JohnstonTheBeefSite Book Focus

Practical Cattle FarmingPractical Cattle Farming is written by two experienced, practising veterinarians, and covers the essential elements of beef and dairy cattle farming and the latest cutting-edge scientific research, and is therefore of value both to the novice and to those with experience.
Order Now Online

Protozoal Disease in Cattle
Coccidia and Cryptosporidium are both protozoal parasites that can cause infection in young animals, particularly calves, leading to scour which is frequently fatal if left untreated. Protozoa are spread by a resistant infective stage called an oocyst that can survive outside the host animal.
National Cattle Breeding Herd Stabilises
Latest official data suggest a stabilisation in the national dairy as well as beef herd, bringing to an end the progressive annual decline in UK breeding cow numbers recorded for more than a decade, according to the latest beef market outlook from EBLEX, the industry body for beef and lamb levy payers.
Estimated Performance Of Irish Cattle Farms In 2010
James Breen and Kevin Hanrahan from Teagasc, look at the estimated performance of Irish cattle farms in 2010, including estimated input usage and prices, and estimated outputs.
Prospects for Agricultural Markets and Income 2010-2020
Market and sector income prospects elaborated on the basis of specific assumptions regarding macroeconomic conditions, the agricultural and trade policy environment, weather conditions and international market developments from the European Commission Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development.